Hey there! Looking for some advice on a forum engine for the car community. I'm particularly interested in a single model from a specific car brand. We're not expecting heavy traffic, probably no more than 400 visits per day.



We'd prefer a free forum engine with plugins for rating posts, solid spam protection, and built-in or plugin-configurable SEO settings. This forum will mainly be a hobby project, as I enjoy tinkering in the garage, fixing up my car, and sharing knowledge with others. I've heard of SMF, phpBB3, and others, but open to suggestions!

It would also be great to have access to useful plugins and instructions, as I'm a newbie to forums. Since I work on cars myself, I have a lot of knowledge to share, including alternative parts, etc. That's why I'm eager to connect with people on this platform.

I don't have any prior experience with forum engines, except for DLE/WP with no experience. (If you have experience, please share links to recommended plugins or useful reviews and articles for installing and configuring the engine and selecting plugins.)

We're looking for a reliable, secure forum engine, whether it's a free or paid solution (a one-time payment, not a yearly subscription).

Thanks in advance for any advice and recommendations!

Given your preference for a free forum engine with plugins for rating posts, solid spam protection, and built-in or plugin-configurable SEO settings, I would recommend considering phpBB3 and SMF. These open-source forum engines offer a variety of plugins to enhance user engagement and community interaction. Both platforms have a strong developer community, providing access to a range of plugins and resources that align with your requirements.

When it comes to plugins, as an enthusiast eager to share your knowledge and passion for cars, it's important to focus on features that will enrich the user experience and foster community engagement. Look for plugins that allow for easy sharing of images and videos related to car projects, as well as facilitating discussions around alternative parts, maintenance tips, and troubleshooting. Additionally, incorporating plugins for effective spam protection is vital to maintaining the integrity of the forum.

Considering your newfound venture into forum management, I recommend immersing yourself in the supportive communities of phpBB3 and SMF as you start your journey. Both platforms have extensive dоcumentation, forums, and user groups where you can seek guidance, tutorials, and best practices for installing, configuring, and selecting plugins. Familiarizing yourself with the available resources and support networks will be instrumental in successfully setting up and managing your car community forum.

As you explore forum engines, the reliability and security of the platform are essential considerations. Both phpBB3 and SMF are recognized for their solid security measures and ongoing development, which is conducive to maintaining a safe and trustworthy environment for your community. Ensure that you stay proactive in monitoring updates and security patches to uphold the integrity of your forum.

For me, the best options are vBulletin and IPB, but based on my experience, I'd suggest starting a Telegram channel and building a community there. Alternatively, you could combine Telegram with a forum

phpBB, a powerful forum platform, is a perfect fit for your needs.
It could be a valuable tool to engage with your audience and foster meaningful discussions on your platform.